USA > Illinois > Will County > Portrait and biographical album of Will County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 19
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Fenner Aldrich came to Ilinois in October, 1834, settling in Will County, when it was a part of Cook County and of which Mr. Aldrich became Deputy Sheriff before the division. Ile was also proprietor of two hotels, the Juliet House and Exchange House. In 1836, he was elected the Sheriff of Will County, and re-elected in 1839. Ile enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the
county and was universally liked on account of his genial disposition. For a time he resided in Springfield and conducted the St. Nicholas House, during which time Governor Matteson was one of his guests.
Mr. Aldrich preferring Joliet as a place of res- idence, returned to the city and conducted the Exchange Hotel during the remainder of his active business life. Ile departed hence August 5, 1881. lle was a Democrat politically. The mother passed away several years prior to the decease of her hus- band, her death taking place February 16, 1872. Mr. Aldrich was a member of the Masonic frater- nity and in religion was a Universalist.
Mrs. Osgood was born October 3, 1824, in Ilar- ford, Susquehanna County, Pa. and came to Jol- iet with her parents when quite young. She ob- tained her education in the city schools and when reaching womanhood was married January 1, 1839, to the subject of this notice. Mr. Osgood was born December 22, 1809, in Preston. Chenango County, N. Y. where he lived until 1836, coming then to Joliet. The politics of Mr. Osgood was a stanch Democrat. Many years ago Mr. and Mrs. Osgood joined the Universalist Church and in 18644 they transferred their membership to the Episco- pal Church.
ATSON F. TWINING. Of honorable an- cestry, from whom he inherited sterling qualities of mind and character, which have been developed under the care and training of worthy parents, this young gentleman is bear- ing his part in the battles of life in a manner which wins the regard of those about him and causes him to be numbered among the most enter- prising of the younger farmers of Green Garden Township. Ile, with his brother Dana, owns and oc- cupres an excellent farm, comprising two hundred and forty aeres on section 17, the same being the estate which his father secured in 1851, and which father and son developed from the raw prairies into cultivated fields, which produced abundantly.
The original owner of this fine farm was Hiram
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Twining, who was born in Townsend Township. Essex County, Mass., in 1819. He was reared principally in New Hampshire and Vermont. and followed farming and dairying in the latter State during his early manhood. There he was married to Miss Betsey Needham, a native of Rutland County and daughter of Isaac Needham. a farmer and dairyman.
In 1851 Hiram Twining and bis family, which at that time comprised his wife and two children, located on one hundred and sixty acres which he had seenred with a Government land warrant. Hle first put up a board shanty, hauling the material from Joliet. The breaking of his ground was done with a Lockport steel plow made by "Jim" Lane. the motive power being oxen. Mr. Twining began the dairy business, but it did not prove a success, as he had the misfortune to lose his hay and meet with other catastrophies. He, therefore, turned his attention to general farming. and this venture proved a successful one. He added one hundred and sixty seres of land to that which he al- ready possessed. forming two farms, on each of which he had a good set of buildings. He improved his herd of cattle, those of a high grade or full- blood taking the place of the animals he had.
Mr. Twining was an Abolitionist and Repub- lican. He belonged to the Christian Church. but when the congregation in the neighborhood was disorgan- ized he united with the Free-Will Baptists. He served as Justice of the Peace one term. Ilis death, which was caused by heart disease, took place December 11, 1889. His widow is still liv- ing. making her home with her son, our subject. She is now three-score and ten years old and in somewhat delicate health. In addition to our sub- ject. her family incluides Dana E., Leonora L. and Irena E., who also live on the homestead, and JJas- per E .. who occupies a farm of eighty acres south of his old home.
The Rev. Jonathan Twining, grandfather of our subject, was born in the village of Orleans, on Cape Cod, and was the son of a Revolutionary sol- dier. In early life he went with his parents to Essex County, Mass .. where he married Eliza Fes- enden, of the old Bay State. His trade was that of a cooper and he owned a shop in Essex County.
After a time he removed to New Hampshire, where he sojourned but a short period ere going into Vermont. In Rutland County he worked at his trade and at teaming until his death. lle was an active member of the Christian Church and for some years labored as a minister. Ilis widow came to Ilinois and died at the home of her son, Hiram, at the age of seventy-five years.
The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch first opened his eyes to the light in Shrewsbury Township, Rutland County, Vt., April 8, 1818. He was only a babe when his parents re- moved to this State, which is the scene of his earliest recollections. The broad prairie over which herds of deer roamed at will, wolves and other wild animals were frequently to be seen and the appearances of civilization were but rare. is that to which he looks back. He was carefully reared by his parents, who gave him every advantage of which their surroundings would admit. He attended the first schoolhouse which was built in the neigh- borhood. it being District No. 1. In study he spent his time during the summer until he was fourteen years old, and from that time until he was eighteen enjoyed similar privileges in the winter. In the meantime he had been assisting, as his strength would permit, in the home duties, having begun to drive a team when nine years old.
Young Twining assisted his father until he had reached man's estate, after which he began a more personal career, although he continued to reside on the homestead, in the payment for which he bore a part. He carried on the farm for his father until the death of the latter, and then he took entire charge of it. The land is all fenced and is well supplied with substantial buildings of various kinds, among them being a commodions barn. 40x80 feet, which was built in 1878, a cornerib, granary, windmill and tank, creamery, etc. Orchards and groves adorn the land, which is fertilized by Mud ('reek, at the head of which it is located.
General farming is the work to which Mr. Twin- ing gives his attention, and he secures excellent. crops of good grain by an intelligent use of fertil- izing agents and modern means of cultivation. He raises high-grade Short-horn cattle. graded Po- land-China hogs, and good draft horses. seven head
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of the latter being kept and three teams constantly used upon the farm.
Mr. Twining was Township Supervisor in 1886, and succeeded IT. 11. Stassen, the present County Clerk. His father acted as School Director, School Trustee, and delegate to county conventions. and the son is following in his father's footsteps as a useful public servant. IIe is a Republican of the stanchest kind and has served his party as a mem- ber of the Central Committee. During two terms of court he has sat upon the petit jury. His re- ligious belief is that expressed in the creed of the Baptist Church. Hle and the other members of the family circle are numbered among the best citizens of the section, having an unusual degree of intelli- gence, good breeding and honorable principle.
OIIN J. WALZ. The life of this gentleman shows in a striking manner what can be ac- complished by persistency and diligence, backed by honorable conduct toward man- kind. From the position of a poor boy he has risen to that of a man of means, the owner of a large amount of real estate, including three hun- dred and twenty acres in New Lenox Township, and thirteen hundred and sixty acres in Ellsworth County, Kan. The farm lands of Ellsworth, Kan. belonging to our subject are quite valuable, eighty acres of them being laid out in town lots in the beautiful city of Ellsworth, which is the county seat of Ellsworth County, besides being under- laid with a vein of salt one hundred and fifty-four feet thick and it being 97 per cent. pure. While yet a youth he landed in New York, "a stranger in a strange land," with ten francs in money (less than two dollars) and the first money he earned in America was sent to his father to repay the indebt- "Iness for his passage money. Under circum- stanees which would have discouraged many, young Walz began the course of persevering in- dustry which has resulted in seenring to him the line estate already mentioned.
The gentleman of whom we write is the eklest of three sons born to Daniel and Margaretta ( Kalın-
bach) Walz, his brothers bearing the names of Dan- iel and George C. His father was born in Wal- dorf, and his mother in Spieldberg, both towns in the kingdom of Wartemburg, which forms a part of the Germanic confederation. Both parents died in their native land. In Waldorf, he of whom we write was born February 5, 1836. He acquired a good fundamental education and learned the trade of a book-binder prior to leaving his native land, which he did in April, 1854, embarking in a sail- ing vessel which reached New York the last of June. In the metropolis young Walz remained nine months, after which he went to Torrington, Litchfield County, Conn., where he worked on a farm for 88 a month.
In December, 1856, Mr. Walz left Connecticut to become a resident of Will County, Ill. ITere he took a contract with another man to ent two hundred cords of wood and in the spring began working by the month for different farmers in New Lenox Township. Ile continned to work in this way for several years, even after he had purchased eighty acres of land, which he was able to do in the spring of 1861. This he rented until 1866. In the spring of 1863, he went to California, re- maining on the Pacific coast three years and while there engaging in different occupations. On his return to the Prairie State he purchased an addi. tional eighty acres of land and turned his atten- tion to the cultivation of his own farm. lle has increased the acreage still more and erceted thereon an excellent set of buildings, including a pleasant dwelling, commodious barns, granaries and other outbuildings.
At the home of the bride's parents in New Lenox Township, April 6, 1868, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Walz and Miss Henrietta A. Stricher. This lady was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, November 20. 1846, being the fifth in a family of six children. Her brother and sisters are named Sophia, Louis, Louisa, Carolina and Fredericka. Her parents. Frederick and Sophia ( Freier) Stricher, were born in the Duchy of Meck- lenburg and lived there until the latter part of the '50s when they emigrated to America. They came to this county and located in Green Garden Town- ship. whence they afterward removed to New
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I.L mileu
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. Lenox Township where Mr. Stricher died in 1880. Mrs. Stricher is still living and makes her home with our subject. Mrs. Walz was well educated and from her honored parents received good in- struction in the principles of right living and the useful habits in which the German women excel. while her manners are marked with the friendliness and courtesy which everywhere win regard. Her happy nion has resulted in the birth of seven children-Addie L., George A .. Frank II., Arthur L., Sadie A .. Florence E. and Estella Il. Of these, Frank, Arthur and Sadie are dead.
Mr. Walz has been Ilighway Commissioner and School Director, in these public stations as in his personal affairs exhibiting zeal and good judgment. In politics, he is a Republican, firmly believing that by that party the best interest of the Nation will be advanced. The family attends the Ger- man Lutheran Church, supporting it by means and influence. It is needless to state that Mr. Walz is highly respected, not simply because he is a man of means, but because his character is an honor- able one. The younger members of his family are worthy descendants of parents whom they regard with loving reverence.
IMOTHY L. MILLER. No visitor to this county would long be unfamiliar with the name and personality of the gentleman above named, who is widely known to stockmen and others as one to whom the advancement of the cattle interests in this section is largely due. Ile has undoubtedly done more to introduce fine Here. ford cattle than any other man in this vicinity. and ranks as one of the leaders in stock-raising in the entire State. Not less than $100,000 has been spent by him in this direction, and at all the prominent expositions he carries off his sbare of laurels on the stock exhibited. He became promi- nent as the owner of the famous bull, Success. which has a wonderful record for his fine descend- ants, and went far to popularize the noble breed.
Mr. Miller began the introduction of Herefords In the spring of 1872, when he introduced Sir
Charles, No. 543, from the Province of Ontario, Canada. He subsequently became the owner of Success, whom he imported from Herefordshire, England, by the side of his dam when he was three months old. This animal was regarded as the great- est of his breed in the world, Lord Wilton of Eng- land not excepted. Mr. Miller refused $25,000 for him, and kept him until his death in the fall of 1886.
Mr. Miller claims that eighty per cent. of his herd are daughters and granddaughters of this famous animal. The present head of the herd is Conqueror, the son of Success from Leonora III., the dam being the sister of Mrs. Edwards Leonora, which was regarded as the best cow of England. Foremost among the other animals are Dietator and Grove Turner, the latter being the grandson of Lord Wilton on the sire's side and of Grove III. on the dam's side. The entire herd consists of about two hundred fine animals, three-fourths of which are cows and heifers, and represent some of the finest strains in this country.
Mr. Miller was born in Middletown, Conn., April 7, 1817, and is a representative of fine old New England families of English and German descent. Ile grew to manhood in his native place, receiving as good an education as New England afforded in her common schools. He removed to Summit County. Ohio. in 1812, purchasing his first land two years later, and living upon it until 1856. HFe then came to Illinois, immediately after the com- pletion of the Illinois Central Railroad, securing Government land in this county. His first pur- chase was two hundred and forty acres, which was subsequently increased until his estate amounted to over six hundred acres, all of which is highly improved and about half drained by tiling. All of the outbuildings are first-class. the immense stock barn being one hundred and eighty feet square, and so arranged as to shelter three hun- dred head of cattle and feed to supply the whole. The residence is one of the largest in the State, being two hundred and four feet long; it is built in sections, the main building on the west, office in the center, contains twenty-five sleeping rooms, and is well designed for the pleasure and accommo- dation of the household and the numerous visitors
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who enjoy its hospitality. A cellar is built under the entire edifice.
The father of our subject was Timothy B. Miller, a native of Middletown, Conn., and the son of Peter Miller, who was born in Prussia and there educated for the ministry. Ile did not follow the ministerial profession, but coming to America when a young man, settled in Connecticut and de- voted himself to business. Ile married a Miss Joyce, who came of English parentage, and both died in New England at an advanced age. They were members of the Episcopal Church. Timothy B. Miller early in life learned the business of a shoe manufacturer, which he followed for some years, later becoming a trader in meats, continu- ing in this business during the remainder of his active life. Hle removed to Ohio in 1846. dying there a few years later.
In Middletown, Conn., the father of our subject was married to Miss Mary Hughes Pierce, a native of that city and the daughter of an English couple who has resided in Boston during the Revolution- ary War. They subsequently removed to Middle- town, where Mr. Pierce for many years had the management of a brewery. Mrs. Timothy B. Miller after the death of her husband came to Illi- nois, and lived with her children in this State until 1886, when she was called hence at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. 1Ter demise took place at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Mize, of Chicago. She and her husband were active members of the Episcopal Church. They were the parents of six children, two of whom died young and one in mature years. The survivors are: our subject, who was the first-born; Charles R., a business man of Brooklyn, N. Y .; and the (laughter before named.
The first marriage of the gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced took place at the bride's home in Middletown, Conn. His chosen companion was Miss Abigail S. Elliott, who was born in that place, was carefully reared by excel- lent parents, and well educated. Her parents were Clark and Almira (Gillett) Elliott, who belonged to prominent New England families and were also natives of Connecticut. Mr. Elliott was a carriage- maker in his early life, but in later years devoted
his attention to general merchandising. lle died in his native State when about three-score-and-ten years old. Mrs. Elliott survived him some years, dying in 1888 at the ripe old age of ninety-five. Both were members of the Congregational Church.
Their daughter, Mrs. Miller, shared her hus- band's joys and sorrows until 1858, when in the prime of life she was called from time to eternity. She was the mother of five children, dying at the birth of the last, who was christened llenry, and who died when three years of age. The surviving offspring of this marriage are: Kate E., wife of George B. Woodward, who has charge of the branch house of the Fairbanks Scale Company in St. Paul, Minn .; Abbie A., the wife of Frank Gould, a wholesale merchant of Chicago, whose residence is in Evanston; Mary P. wife of Albert C. Reed, who resides in Crete, this county, and does business as a broker in Chicago; and Timothy E., a farmer of Washington Township.
The lady who now presides over Mr. Miller's home became his wife in Rockford, prior to which time she had borne the name of Anna E. Hodges. She was born in Clarendon. Vt., July 22, 1828, being a daughter of Silas W. and Polly (Gillett) Hodges. Her parents were natives of Vermont and Connecticut respectively, and of New Eng- land parentage. The father was a son of Dr. Silas Ilodges, a prominent physician who died in Clar- endon in 1804, at the age of sixty-one years. The mother belonged to a family of seafaring people. The old stoek in both lines were Congregationalists in religion. The parents of Mrs. Miller were mar- ried in Rutland County, Vt., and there the mother died at the age of fifty-two years, and the father at the age of seventy-two. He had been a farmer, merchant and owner of a marble quarry.
Mrs. Anna Miller was educated in Holyoke, Mass., and there acquired an excellent mental training and development, together with a knowl- edge of the high principles which should animate womanhood. She came to Rockford, Ill., after reaching maturity. She is the mother of one child, a daughter, Abbie, who died in infancy. She and her husband have been members of the Congrega- tional Church for many years. Mr. Miller is a genial man who takes great pleasure in showing
i
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visitors over his fine estate. and his stock is by no means overlooked. The good cheer of the mansion is dispensed with grace by his wife, whose culture and refinement tit her for any circle of society. Mr. Miller was formerly a Democrat, and was President of the Hickory Club in Middletown, Conn., in 1810, but since the organization of the Republican party he has taken his place in its ranks.
Elsewhere in this volume appears a lithographie portrait of Mr. Miller.
ILLIAM H. HUNTER, coal dealer in Jol- iet, is a native of this city, in which he was born August 1, 1854. Hle is a son of Thomas R. and Lucinda (Smith) Ihinter, the for- mer of whom was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., February 2. 1818, and came to Will County, III., in 1837. En route to this place he stopped at Grand Haven, Mich., for a time, and after arriving in Joliet opened a smithy, he being a blacksmith. In 1849 he was attacked by the gold fever, and went to California, where he was very successful during the one short year he remained there. On his return, in 1850, he built a residence on the corner of Oneida and Broadway Streets. In 1854, he began the propagation of fruit, opening a nur- sery in the southwestern part of the city, which he continned until 1882. Ile enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was twice elected by them to a place in the city council. Ile died April 22, 1888. His wife, the mother of William H., died March 25, 1882.
The above-named Thomas R. Hunter was mar- ried July 23, 1815, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Barton and Fatha Smith, both of whom were early settlers of this county, to which they had come from Indiana, in 1835. For many years Mr. Smith was a Justice of the Peace. Originally a Tennesseean, in politics he was a pronounced Dem- ocrat, and during the war. when he believed that slavery was doomed, he said he hoped he would not he spared to see the blacks liberated. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued prior to his
death he did not withcss numerof me effen, and may almost be said to have realized his wish as he died September 22, 1863. The union of Thomas R. Hunter and Lucinda Smith was blessed by the birth of two children: Fatha E., wife of J. Q. A. King, of Kansas City, Mo .; and William II., of whom we write. The devoted mother preceded husband to her long home, dying March 15, 1882. She also was a native of Tennessee. The ancestry of the Hunter family is traced back to Scotland on the one hand and through the Davenports to Col- onists who came to America in the good ship "May- flower."
The boyhood of our subject was passed in Jol- iet in acquiring a common-school education, and laying the foundation for the habits which mark his life. The coal trade possessed a great attraction for him, and his first business venture was to pur- chase an interest with Ferdinand Munch. A short time afterward we find him in partnership with Frey & Hawkins, and after a year of this associa- tion. he bought out the interest of Mr. Frey, and at the end of the second year that of Mr. Hawkins. From a comparatively small beginning, he built up the coal trade to large dimensions and was compelled through increase of business to greatly enlarge his facilities for handling "black dia- monds."
From the smallest, the business of Mr. Hunter has become the largest in the county. In 188I he associated Mr. O. W. Curtis with himself, but a year ago again assumed entire control of the trade. Step by step, through singleness of pur- pose and the practice of strict integrity, Mr. Hunter has climbed, round by round, the ladder of success. He attends strictly to business, taking but little part in politics, although an ardent Republican. Socially he stands high in popular esteem.
lle was married. November 13. 1878. to Miss Mollie P. Turner, of Lockport. this county. Two children have been born to them: Carrie L., An- gust 17. 1879; and Robert Samuel, October 17. 1881.
S. S. Turner. the father of Mrs. Hunter, was a native of Berwick, Pa., whenee he came to Illi- nois. in 1831. Hle was a moulder and pattern maker. but finding little to do in this line. in the
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comparatively new West to which he had come, he employed himself in boat building and carpenter- ing. At that time the heavy business done by canal, made boat building a most desirable indus- try. Ile died May 25, 1882, that being his six- tieth birthday. ITis first wife, the mother of Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Caroline Turner, had breathed her last December 24, 1860.
HIOMAS LARKIN. Among the well-regu- lated homes of Joliet Township none have about them an air of greater comfort and content than that which has been built up by the joint efforts of Mr. Larkin and his estimable wife. They make no pretensions to elegance in their style of living, but have plenty to eat, drink and wear and something laid by for a rainy day. It is possible that in their modest home there is vastly more genuine happiness than is to be found in a palace.
A native of County Galway, Ireland, Mr. Lar- kin was born in the year 1838, and is the son of Edwin and Mary ( Kelley ) Larkin, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle and who spent their entire lives there. Thomas lived with his parents until a young man of twenty years and then re- solved to seck his fortunes in America. Repair- ing to Belfast, he embarked on a sailing vessel which, after a journey of four weeks, landed him safely in New York City. Soon leaving the great metropolis, he turned his steps toward the far West, coming to this county and for two years was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company. After this he engaged in farming. working by the month for about three years. At the expiration of this time he had saved a little money and taking unto himself a wife and help- mate, rented a farm in Lockport Township, which he operated successfully for several years. Next he purchased the farm on which he now lives, se- curing at first eighty acres and later added to his landed possessions, so that besides this farm which now embraces one hundred and thirty acres, he has eighty acres in Troy Township. The whole
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